Cleveland Coast Guard crews have busy Saturday with multiple rescues

CLEVELAND — The rescue boatcrews at Coast Guard Station Cleveland Harbor, in Cleveland, have had a busy Saturday with multiple rescues, including a capsized vessel with 20 people aboard and another boat with two people aboard that struck a breakwall and began to sink.

At 11:30 a.m., a Coast Guard rescue boatcrew from Station Cleveland Harbor was patrolling in a 25-foot Response Boat-Small in Cleveland Harbor during the Dragon Boat races when a boat participating in the race capsized, sending all 20 people aboard into the water.

The rescue boatcrew was able to rescue three people, while the other 17 people were able to swim safely to shore. All the people in the water were wearing life jackets.

The three people recovered by the RB-S crew were taken to a dock at Shooter’s Bar and Grill, in Cleveland, where emergency medical services were waiting. The three people were assessed by EMS and then released without injuries.

“The people on the boat were not expecting to capsize, but dangerous situations can come unexpectedly, so it was good that they were wearing life jackets,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Julia Kinney, officer-of-the-day at Station Cleveland Harbor.

“The Coast Guard recommends that all people wear a life jacket while boating.”

At 12:35 p.m., a radio watchstander at Station Cleveland Harbor received notification from a nearby boater who was watching two people on a boat that was sinking after it struck the breakwall in Cleveland Harbor.

A rescue boatcrew launched aboard a 25-foot Response Boat-Small from Station Cleveland Harbor, brought the two people aboard the RB-S, and towed the boat to 72nd Street Marina where a commercial salvor commenced dewatering efforts.

There were no injuries reported.

“It is important to always contact the Coast Guard at the first sign of an emergency situation,” said Kinney.

“This particular situation shows how a disabled boat can turn into a sinking boat fast.”